Sometimes you have to listen to an album more than once before you like it. For example, I hated M. Ward's last album, A Wasteland Companion. after the first listen. I really didn't want to hear it again, until I was reading an interview with M. Ward about the album. He said this one would take more than one listen to really like. Also, my good friend and Wires and Waves contributor, Jeff Poole, said he really liked it.

I decided to give it another chance. We were moving from Idaho to Oklahoma and had lots of time to listen to music. Not only did I not hate it, but I loved it. Moral of the story: Sometimes an album requires more than one listen to fully appreciate what was made.

This just happened to me again with the new Local Natives album, Hummingbird. I didn't necessarily  hate it when I first listened to it, but I didn't love it either. Their first album was so good and I felt like this album lacked some elements that I loved from Gorilla Manor. This album seemed a little more produced and the lyrics didn't sit with me as much as the first album. GM has catchy sing along lyrics that I loved. As I listened I didn't hear songs similar to "World News" or "Airplanes".

For some reason the other day I decided to give it another try. This time was totally different. I loved it. I think the anticipation of the record got to me, maybe. These guys have not digressed at all; in fact, I think they're getting better. It's not the same album as GM-- it's better. This album shows the progression of a band after a few years of touring nonstop around the world. Hummingirbd is better musically and lyrically. It maybe a little more complex, but that complexity is what drew me in the second time.

Posted by Zach 

Phosphorescent just put out one of the better albums of  the year, Muchacho. The normal twangy country sound is still there, but there are sounds on this album you wouldn't normally find on past albums, like the first three songs for example. The first song ("Sun Arise") sounds like an electronic version of the Fleet Foxes song with a similar title, "Sun it Rises".

Have you ever had the worst week ever? If so, you should try listening to Thursday. They will make you feel better. Audiotree recorded Geoff Rickly playing one of his new solo songs "New Sympathies," and it is great. The mixtape that he put out a couple months ago was pretty poor quality, as he just recorded it in his bedroom. I am looking forward to more music from Geoff Rickly for the rest of my life.

I think a lot of the inspiration for this post was drawn from this video out of Rexburg, Idaho. I'm sure it's also because ten years ago was the year my brother and I started listening to punk. Sean started buying and collecting all the Punk-O-Rama CDs and even the DVD which featured some classic music videos such as

and
and
and
That spring we went to a show at an old rest home in Idaho Falls featuring the likes of Fear Before the March of Flames and Anatomy of a Ghost. We went to Warped Tour that summer and I remember all the "true punks" who heckled anyone enjoying sets from bands like The Starting Line (I vividly remember Sean crowd surfing and then getting thrown into the air, doing a front flip and landing on his feet in the center of a circle pit during their set), The Ataris and Simple Plan. I remember the Suicide Machines dividing their crowd for a Braveheart mosh pit battle re-enactment. I remember my friend Matthew getting kicked in the face during Andrew WK's set and letting loose a gatling gun obscenity laced tirade before leaving the show with my Dad (yes, he accompanied us) to see a movie. I remember noticing a 2-person long line to meet Pierre of Simple Plan so I chatted with him for a minute as dudes with liberty spikes walked by and told him to eff himself (proudly wore a Simple Plan t-shirt to school that fall complete with Finch armband and spiked hair). The last sets of the night were Rancid, the Used and AFI. I was in heaven (my only regrets are not seeing Taking Back Sunday and Brand New as they played that day and I didn't yet love them). Thanks for accompanying me down this stretch of memory lane.

Seattle's own Telekinesis is coming out with a new album, Dormarion and NPR has a First Listen for it. I am listening to it right now and so far, it's pretty great so I'm just gonna go ahead and share this with you guys.
You should listen too. Right here.

If you know me deeply and truly, you know that I love Usher. This is my song of the day because it was stuck in my head. Also, you better believe that I am watching the Voice because of him.

Today I heard the most perfect song of my existence. I don't even want to say anything about it. Except his voice and the lyrics and the violin make a tear-worthy combination. It reminds me of Modest Mouse a little bit; I suppose it's because of his voice. The lyrics are so honest, and I feel like we can all relate to it every once in a while. No? Just me? Oh...well, okay. Anyway, I might cry to this later.

There's this band everyone seems to love. At least here in Seattle they do but they're a Seattle band so I'm not sure how they're fairing outside this city. I'm guessing they're also somewhat popular other places but I feel like sometimes Seattle is in it's own little music bubble so I don't know.
Aaanyway, their name is Pickwick. They just came out with a new album but I first heard of them roughly a year ago. A photographer I was working with at the time was raving about them and told me if I liked the Black Keys, I'd like them. I love the Black Keys so I figured I'd try 'em out.
When I finally got around to listening to them, I could hear where she (the photographer) was coming from. They definitely have a little bit of a bluesy feel. The lead singer also has that old, soulful voice that seems to be coming back in style. But there's something about them that just doesn't do it for me. This is actually a pretty common occurence for me. I don't often like music my friends do and it's always kind of bothered me a little bit but I like to like things. I especially like liking things that the people I like like (likelikelike). But, for some reason I've really struggled with this particular band. It has really bothered me that I don't love them like my friends do. By definition, I should love Pickwick. I love soul, I love the blues, I love vintage sounds. I've tried loving them. I don't hate them. I do like them. They play really well and their songs are pretty well written but I just feel like they're lacking something. I keep listening to them in hopes that maybe it'll change. Maybe I'll hear what everyone else hears. That's never happened and it's been horrible. One day I actually found out someone else feels the same way I do.

I turned them on at work once, trying to love them and the photographer on the set next to mine piped up "Is that Pickwick?" I told him yes and he gave me one of those "oh"s that hints at a lack of excitement. He and I tend to have similar taste/opinions about music so I was curious to hear what he had to say about Pickwick. He told me he didn't love them and I'll never forget how he put it because he nailed it.

"I feel like they're just filling a genre."

Yeeeees! I thought. That's it! They're only playing music just for the sake of playing music and they found a genre they can play well so that's what they're doing.
For a while after that revelation, I put Pickwick out of mind, having understood better why I wasn't in love. But they came back to haunt me.
They played on new years in Seattle and a few of my friends went. They tried getting me to come but I declined. Since then, they've continuously come up in conversations. I would try to avoid these conversations, afraid that if I had to tell my friends how I really felt, they'd think I was a snob. If I had to participate, I would just passively tell them "Oh, yeah, Pickwick? They're good." Because they are good, I just don't think they're good.
I was starting to doubt my feelings on them again, wanting to love them and hating that I couldn't. Then a few weeks ago they played a free show at a record store and a friend of mine was going so I figured I'd go. It was free and maybe if I saw them live, I'd fall in love.
Their performance was good, nothing spectacular but enjoyable. But as they played, my feelings stayed the same and all I could do was stand there, frustrated, trying to figure what exactly they were missing. And then something happened.
It was the second to last song and they lead singer introduced it as a Lou Reed cover. Naturally, I perked up a little as I'm in love with Lou Reed. They proceeded to play a song I had never heard before but it was amazing. Not only was it unlike any Reed song I had yet to hear, but it was unlike any of the songs Pickwick had previously played. The song was called Ostrich and it broke them. It was like through the whole show they were just actors, playing this part. Then all of a sudden they were real people. They were in their element. They got crazy and moved, broke a sweat even. This was Pickwick. They meant this song. They felt this song and so did I. The next song they played (the last song of the set) felt a little more free and comfortable than the beginning of the show but it wasn't the same as that cover. They had broken loose and then gone back to acting. But I felt like I had a little more insight to my feelings for the band and felt better.
I went home that night and looked up this Lou Reed song they played. Before he was in The Velvet Underground, Reed wrote songs for a record company for other bands to play. This particular song, The Ostrich was written for a band called The Primitives while Reed was working for a label by the name of... Pickwick Records.
Whaaat!?
So, here are my final thoughts on this matter of Pickwick. Clearly, they are Lou Reed fans. I feel like this song they covered is more true to them then anything else I've heard them play. So what I want to know is why they aren't playing more like it? Why are they filling this other genre? I don't know. But I'd really like to know. I have warmed up to them a little more since that show and since listening to their new full length album (Can't Talk Medicine, released March 13th, look it up).

I'd really like to hear other people's thoughts on Pickwick too. Please comment and tell me what you think. Actually I would really love more comments and discussions on this blog in general. I love hearing other people's thoughts on the things I post about because I know my opinions aren't everyones nor are the always correct. So please speak up. I especially want to hear thoughts on this post.

I was really sad when Thursday broke up. I got a tattoo for them! But the singer and main songwriter of the band, Geoff Rickly, started doing solo stuff. In other news, Tucker Rule, the drummer, went on tour with a boy band called the Wanted. I guess boy bands didn't release all of his energy because he is now starting a hardcore band called Get Involved! with members of some of my past and present favorite bands including Glassjaw, From Autumn to Ashes, Death in the Park (which includes members of Hot Rod Circuit), and Judge.

I don't know what it is about this album but any time I am upset about anything at all, listening to it always makes me feel better. Whether I'm sad, angry, stressed, hurt, confused, frustrated, broken, anxious or all of the above, this is my cure. So when you have a moment, turn out your lights, turn this record on and lay on your floor with your eyes closed and just listen. I hope you get it.

I don't know how I missed this, but my favorite artist/illustrator/whatever, Jeffrey Brown, made this video for Death Cab for Cutie's song "Your Heart is an Empty Room" from their album Plans. I spent many Saturdays at my local Barnes and Noble reading Brown's graphic novel Clumsy. If you haven't read any of his graphic novels, I recommend buying one. You can also see his work on his website.

Sincerely,

Xtina

Vampire Weekend announced their new album, Modern Vampires of The City, more than a month ago. When one of my favorite bands announces a new album two things happen: I get really excited and then I get  really nervous. I worry that their new album won't live up to past albums. Mostly I worry that I won't like it. You never like being disappointed by your favorite band.

If the two songs Vampire Weekend put out earlier this week are any indication of how the album as a whole will be, then I have nothing to worry about. Damn! that's all I have to say. "Step" the third track from Vampires hits you like a ton of bricks. It's part hip hop, part something else completely different and amazing than what other musicians are making right now. Lyrically and musically it's my favorite song of this still short year.

The next track "Diane Young" reminds me of what Elvis would be making if he had started his career around 2005. Not to say that this song is a throwback. Musically it's a rock song comparable to something the Black Keys would make, but Ezra Koenig's voice goes low just like the King himself.

Listen to "Step" below. The video is pretty cool too.

Geoff Rickly (formerly of Thursday, current member of United Nations, and solo artist) wrote this incredible review about Cult of Youth's album Love Will Prevail. Read it when you have the time.


Sincerely,

Xtina

I'm gonna give this a shot, as some of my other beloved bloggers have...

Jason Molina, the man behind the band Magnolia Electric Co. passed away this week. This is a beautiful song off of the bands last album.

I danced to this song today like I did when I was 18 or 19. Apparently it's a rare track they only released on the mother the mechanic and the path CDs sold at Target. I used to listen to it on repeat on their purevolume.

I've really been digging Wild Belle today. I found a music video to share with you.



Love, Tdicks

Zach and I went to Kansas City and Des Moines for the first half of spring break. Our good friends Jeff and Amy (of Wires and Waves infamy) live in Des Moines, and it's only three hours past Kansas City, so we decided to make the trip up. Growing up in California, you don't learn much about other states. Or maybe I missed that part in school. I never even gave a second thought to Iowa, but it is actually a really cool place. Jack Kerouac even said, "The prettiest girls in the world live in Des Moines," and he knows everything.

A cool interview done a couple years ago with Alan from Low. He talks about how being LDS and a musician works out. He quotes Spencer W. Kimball.

http://www.linescratchers.com/?p=306#comments

No one wants to admit being disappointed in their favorite band. It hurts. When a band you love puts out a mediocre (or even worse, terrible) album, it feels like you've been cheated on. How did they not appreciate what you had together? Especially after you and that certain band shared so many good times (albums) together?

This is how I felt about Minus the Bear. They were one of my favorite bands during high school (I feel like I say this a lot). They really captured the urgency and also the heaviness that I and a lot of my friends felt at the time. But I should have seen the signs.

I saw them in concert twice, and both shows were filled with dry-humping teenagers. Then they put out Planet of Ice, and I just didn't like it. It felt lighter or cheaper. I'm sure that it will sound different when I go back and listen to it now, but it just wasn't right for me then. I didn't like Omni either, but guess what? It just came on, and I still thought it was their most recent album, and I liked it!

That puts us where we are at now. I think Minus the Bear and I have made up. I think we are in love again. Infinity Overhead is such a good album, and it contains all of the things that made me love them so long ago. My favorite track of the moment is "Heaven is a Ghost Town." It begins with a very Minus the Bear-esque guitar, but it feels a little bit different than the Minus the Bear I once knew.



If you have never listened to them, I  would recommend starting with Menos el Oso. It is seriously the best. And then just go on from there. All of their albums are for real, you guys.

Have you ever experienced this kind of breakup with your favorite band? I hope it had as good of an outcome as my own. (We all know Zach has. Read about it here.)

Sincerely,

Xtina

Today is Jack Kerouac's birthday. If you know me at all, you probably (maybe) know that I love him. He is my biggest inspiration in writing and life in general. In honor of him, I created this playlist of songs or artists that he loved, as well as songs that he inspired.

The first track is a short poem by the man himself, and it's one of my favorites. The last track is one of my favorite poems by Allen Ginsberg, who was one of Jack's best friends. I hope you enjoy it.

Sincerely,

Christina

When I was in 8th grade my friend gave me a burned copy of 311's Soundsystem. I've loved them since. My brother and I have always talked about eventually going to one of their famous 311 day celebrations. It hasn't happened yet but we'll keep hoping. So here's a little snippet of 311 goodness

Happy 311 Day!

This kid just wanted to find a used muffler for his 90's Volvo. Jeez!

In honor of Justin Timberlake's superb performance on SNL last night (and when I say superb, I mean it. I will go out on a limb and say the episode was top five, ever), my song of the day is his latest single, "Mirrors", from his much anticipated album (It's much anticipated by me and Christina anyway) The 20/20  Experience. 

We were hanging out at home today, doing absolutely nothing, when Christina played something that stopped me dead in my tracks (from playing on the internet). NPR posted a song on Tumblr from a band called Lavender Diamond. The singer, Becky Stark, has one of the classiest voices I've ever heard. This isn't your typical whimsy, whiny indie-rock girl voice. This is Barbara Streisand belting out "The Way We Were" circa 1974.

Believe me this girl's voice is amazing. How did I not hear about this until today? I can't live in the past, I suppose. I'm going to listen the hell out of this album.

The band is Lavender Diamond. The song below is "Everybody's Heart's Breaking Now". It appears on the album Incorruptible Heart. 

Funny or Die released the lost Postal Service audition tape yesterday. Before Ben Gibbard was considered there was Moby, Amiee Mann, Weird Al, some guy from Guns N Roses, and many more. It's a hilarious video. Enjoy.

I am about 5 weeks from graduating from college with my bachelors degree. Over the last few years I have done a lot of homework and studying. Although I rarely listen to classical music, I have found that some pieces help me to calm down and really focus on my work. This piano song by John Cage is one of my favorite to listen to while I'm studying. Enjoy.

-Earl

Belle and Sebastian has been one of my very favorite bands since I was 15 or so. I just feel like their music is perfect. My first car only had a cassette player, so I owned a lot of tapes for a couple years. I had one mixtape with a bunch of Belle and Sebastian songs. This one cut off right before the ending. It's one of my favorites. Enjoy

xo, xtina

I think most my friends are familiar with my feelings on Jack White. I've been thinking about him the last few days. Little links keep popping up on my Facebook news feed about things he's doing or interviews he's had or whatever and it's just got me thinking. I've told people in the past that I LOVE Jack White, that I'm a little obsessed with him. But in thinking and reading about him more lately, I don't think that quite describes my feelings for him. Because I'm not some crazy groupie fan, I just really respect him. I have a very deep respect for Jack White. I think his music is really fantastic and love it a whole lot. But for him, as a person, an artist, a musician, I just respect what he's doing so, incredibly much because he is what he does and he does what he loves the most and he is 100% authentic about it all. He doesn't do it for the money or the attention or the novice of it all. He does it because it's who he is. And he just happens to be incredibly good at it all. I find him really inspiring. I don't think it would hurt to have more people like Jack White in the world.

I watched this "interview" with him and Conan today. It's a little long but really great and worth every minute of it.



Also, Record Store Day is coming up and he has been elected as Ambassador of Record Store Day. I don't know quite what that means but he made a funny video about it. You can watch the video below and read what he has to say about it here.

It's almost 1:00 a.m. I just watched The Perks of Being a Wallflower and now I'm listening to Dashboard Confessional. It feels like my freshman year of college all over again.

The movie was so good. It made all the same feelings and emotions come back from when I read the book. I recommend it.

I also recommend this.

Guys, I've really been digging Shovels & Rope lately. I love everything about them. Here's a video of them playing live on KEXP (aka the best radio station ever).

kthnxbye